The wind is blowing, the snow is falling, and you’re comfortably sitting inside your home enjoying the crackling fireplace. But if the air quality in your home is sub-par, you might be better off breathing brisk winter air.
Your furnace filter could be to blame.
It’s critical to check up on your filter and change it on a regular basis. When you replace a dirty filter with a clean filter, you could reduce energy consumption in your home by 5 to 10 percent.
What does your furnace filter do?
The air filter in your HVAC system serves to keep pollution such as dust and debris out of your home. But when it gets dirty, it will slow air flow, which means your unit has to work harder to heat or cool your home. That means you’ll likely be paying a few extra bucks on your bills.
Not only do air filters provide better air quality inside your home, they also help your furnace or air conditioner stay efficient while saving you money. It is recommended you change your filter once every one to three months. However, there are a variety of reasons you may need to change it more frequently based on your living situation or location.
Replace your furnace filter more often if:
YOU HAVE PETS
Despite the large volume of pet hair you vacuum up every week, your air filter is collecting some of that, too. Animals can shed more at certain times of the year, so it’s important to keep an eye on your filter.
THERE ARE SMOKERS IN YOUR HOME
Your air quality will be affected if there are smokers in your home. To avoid lower air quality, take a glance at your air filter and replace it on a regular basis.
YOU FREQUENTLY OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS
The fresh air outside also brings debris inside your home. The kids might rake in extra dirt, and the dust in the air could blow through an open window. This could affect your air filter more than you think.
THERE’S EXCESS DUST OR DIRT BUILDING UP
When you have noticeably more dust or dirt building up around your home, chances are your air filter is past its prime. It’s time to invest in a new air filter.
YOU HAVE ALLERGIES
If you suffer from allergies, you know they have the potential to disrupt your life on a daily basis. Some days they’re not so bad, and other days you need a box of tissues at your side 24/7. Replacing your filter will aid in relieving allergies
If you’ve replaced your filter and your furnace is still not functioning properly, Blue Ox Heating & Air can help. Our professionals are experts at furnace repair and replacement and furnace installation. Give us a call today — we’ll make sure your furnace is keeping your home warm without negatively affecting your health.
